Matt Claridge, executive director of Te Araroa Trust, is straight to the point. “Without volunteers, there would be no trail. Sure, the trail is on terra firma and it's a route, but the trail is really about the people. Those walking it, those connected to it, the trail angels, and those that volunteer.”
With only two employees – Claridge and trail manager Daniel Radford – the trust relies on volunteers. Seven regional trusts make up the formal network and sit under the national Te Araroa Trust. The focus is primarily on trail maintenance for individual areas, as well as building relationships that support trail maintenance and development.
“Each regional trust is uniquely independent, with its own operating rhythm,” says Claridge. “They can apply for funding for maintenance and special projects, and organise working bees.”
The national trust provides the resources, such as
